Women Building Futures: Alumni Profile: Emily Quan

An interview with Emily Quan – Alumni of the Property and Valuation Undergraduate degree.

Where are you working now?

“JLL”

What is your role and what activities does your role entail on a daily basis?

“Commercial Property Manager. My role is to ensure that my client’s buildings are operating and maintained efficiently, accounts are tracking to budget, projects are delivered on time etc. while managing key stakeholders such as tenants and contractors to ensure expectations are met.”

What was your favourite part of your degree?

“The flexibility it allowed for us to start work within the industry whilst still completing our studies.”

What do you like best about your role?

“There is always something new to challenge you.”

What attracted you to your role?

“The global reputation of the company and the diversity within the industry.”

What is most important to you when looking for a job?

“Opportunities to grow with respect to career progression in roles and also investments in developing and training staff.”

Tell us about your career journey so far.

“My career in property started working casually during uni at a real estate company leasing residential properties. I was then offered a position in JLL’s graduate program in the final year of my degree in 2013. Unlike the traditional rotations of a graduate program, I was based full time in the Property and Asset Management department where I was fortunate to learn and experience the business in more depth. It was not easy juggling full time work and study however made the finish line all the more satisfying once I got there. Since graduating, I progressed my role to Commercial Property Manager last year and made the journey up to Singapore for a young JLL leadership conference which was the experience of a lifetime. I’m excited to see how 2016 pans out with my next career step.”

Tell us about the challenges and triumphs you have faced as a female in a male-dominated industry

“I don’t believe I’ve personally come across any challenges purely based on the fact that I’m a female in a traditionally male-dominated industry. In my view, while the statistics are still quite low, I have noticed the growth in female property professionals since I started and it’s quite uplifting to see. Agency type roles and leadership roles especially, have still got a lot of potential to change though!”

If you could say one thing to young females looking to enter the industry – what would it be?

“Don’t be put off by the industry being male-dominated. If anything, by entering the industry as a minority, you will stand out more. If you put in the hard yards and maintain a strong work ethic suitable for your own style, it will not go unnoticed by your peers and managers.”

Anything else you would like to share?

“Keep an open mind, be willing to learn and try to be as helpful and accommodating to others regardless of whether it’s beneficial or required of you or not. While a diverse industry, it is still relatively small in terms of headcount compared to others so it is most likely you will cross paths with individual property professionals more than once in your career.”